1 Night, 2 Rounds
Thorpeness Golf Club pairs proper Suffolk coast scenery with a classic heathland feel underfoot. The course is a James Braid design, so expect a thoughtful test rather than brute-force golf, where position off the tee matters as much as length. Braid built a string of classic layouts across Britain and Ireland, and this one's no exception. You'll play through a mix of heather, gorse and pines, with that sandy base that tends to keep things firm and playable when heavier inland courses are struggling in winter.
The club sits on England's east coast in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and you're only a few minutes from the beach, which makes it a cracking option for a short UK break when you want golf and fresh sea air in the same weekend. The hotel overlooks either the Meare or the course itself, and post-round, Ogilvie's Grill House and the Patio Bar make it easy to keep things simple, grab something local and settle in for the evening. If you're travelling with non-golfers, the village and coastal walks do a lot of the heavy lifting, so you can play your golf without feeling like you've dragged someone to 'just another golf hotel'.
Who is this for?
Golfers seeking a classic British heathland experience on a James Braid design, combined with comfortable hotel accommodation and easy access to Suffolk's stunning coastline. Perfect for couples, small groups or societies wanting a relaxed golf break that pairs quality golf with coastal walks, local produce and a genuinely warm welcome.
Who is it best for?
Mid-to-low handicappers who appreciate strategic, tree-lined golf and want to experience a Braid design without travelling to Scotland. Also ideal for anyone looking to extend their playing season, as the sandy soil keeps the course in excellent condition year-round, and for groups who value a sociable, unpretentious base with plenty to do off the course.
* Where applicable, the relevant promotions will be applied during the booking process. T&Cs may apply.
1 Night, 2 Rounds
2 Nights, 3 Rounds
This Suffolk gem is heathland in style, and though not long - measuring 6,432 from the tips - is a fantastic test. Visiting golfers will be charmed as the layout winds its way through silver birch and pine, gorse and heather, in a fashion reminiscent of the world-renowned courses at Sunningdale and Woodhall Spa. The sandy soil gives Thorpeness a superb links accent, while the course's quality has been recognised with the award of a number of regional, national and international tournaments.
The charming Suffolk landscape makes for a delightful setting, while on the course itself Braid has created a great variety of holes. Some of the best are the signature 3rd, where a good drive is the key to negotiating the sharp dog-leg right, the short 7th, where a poorly-struck iron will disturb the lilies that cruise the lake, and the terrific closing hole, which demands two great shots to find the green, under the watchful gaze of the famous windmill.
James Braid's famous creativity is extremely evident at Thorpeness, and his tremendous course makes this an educated choice for your next golf holiday.
It is crucial to avoid the bunkers at Thorpeness, which are built in the true links style with steep faces.
| Par | 70 |
|---|---|
| Designed by | James Braid |
| Opened in | 1922 |
| Blue | 6,444 yards |
|---|---|
| White | 6,290 yards |
| Yellow | 6,080 yards |
| Red | 5,460 yards |
Just ten minutes' walk from the beach, Thorpeness Hotel keeps things traditional in the best way: friendly service, comfortable rooms and an easy, relaxed feel after your round. There are 30 guest rooms, each with views over either the Meare or the golf course, so it's a lovely place to wake up on a golf weekend.
Rooms are comfortably furnished rather than flashy, with en-suite bathrooms and tea and coffee facilities. When it's cold outside, the lounge is the place to head, with open fires and plenty of space to settle in with a drink. The hotel's location means you're never far from the beach, the Meare or the charming village of Thorpeness itself, making it an ideal base for partners who might fancy a coastal walk while you're out playing.
The hotel understands golfers. It's used to people arriving with clubs, fitting dinner around tee times and wanting somewhere to unwind that isn't stuffy or formal. You'll find proper peace and quiet here, which is a rare thing at some golf hotels, and the staff know the course inside out if you want advice on how to play it.
Overlooking the 3rd tee, Ogilvie's Grill House is where the ever-changing menu reflects the fresh, seasonal local produce that Suffolk does so well. You're on the coast here, so expect excellent fish and seafood alongside quality meat and game. The Patio Bar serves drinks and fine light snacks, including the house speciality: homemade Thorpeness fishcakes that are worth the visit alone.
Hotel guests are welcome to rack up the balls for a few frames of snooker or use the golf simulator when the weather turns, while the Meare and its surroundings offer a variety of pursuits beyond golf: try rowing, tennis, boating, fishing, cycling or clay pigeon shooting. There's plenty to keep non-golfers entertained, and enough variety to fill a longer stay if you want to explore the Suffolk coast properly.
How to get to Thorpeness Hotel & Golf Club
Thorpeness Hotel and Golf Club is ideally located along the picturesque Suffolk coastline, offering guests a serene escape just a five-minute stroll from the sandy beach.
Address: Thorpeness, Aldeburgh, Suffolk, IP16 4NH
Ben
✓4 Feb 2020
Simple twin room with TV and balcony was very nice and the shower was exceptional. The staff were very helpful however due to the amount of people eating they seemed to struggle with orders and getting this right first time. When we arrived we ordered breakfast and teas and coffees some breakfasts had come out before others had drinks, we had to ask for them. We pre ordered dinner which was fine but when the starters came out they had got us and another table mixed up so again half of us got food before the others. The sides were ordered and some cane out wrong as in chips instead of sweet potato chips. However I must say that the quality of food was exceptional and would happily eat here and stay here again! I would just say that the ordering system or the communication with the kitchen needs to be looked at. However this wouldn’t stop me going again!
Phil
✓8 Nov 2019
good size room very clean and comfortable
Mark
✓15 Oct 2019
Was ok very basic bar area small and limited choice of drink.had 3 society's staying as well as other guests and had only 1 person behind bar long wait to be served.
Michael
✓16 Aug 2019
Very enjoyable, food excellent.
Richard
✓1 Aug 2019
Comfy, clean bed; limited restaurant menu; always friendly and efficient staff.
Jane
✓9 Jul 2019
Love the location. hotel staff great. Room we were in is getting a bit tired and shabby but we loved the place.
Geoffrey
✓29 Jun 2019
Excellent friendly staff. Well prepared and presented food.
Nigel
✓5 Jun 2019
Excellent meals in the restaurant and bar. Helpful staff. Spacious and comfortable twin rooms.
David
✓15 May 2019
Really good all round hotel great place for golf trip.
John
✓1 Apr 2019
Perfectly acceptable and good accommodation. Clean and warm, plenty of towels, all good. Easy and free wifi access. Impressed with the choices, and the quality, of the selected menu. Helpful staff, friendly too.
Ben
✓4 Feb 2020
The wind was fierce on both days and the course played very hard, but that’s what we love and it was an experience to some in the group who had never played that type of course before. We had rain on Sunday morning for about 4 hours before we teed off, one puddle appeared on the 4th green and by the time we came back past it on 17th it was gone. The course is in superb condition and would recommend this to anyone and everyone.
Phil
✓8 Nov 2019
challenging, enjoyable, dont go in the rough.
Mark
✓15 Oct 2019
Was raining all day on Saturday not heavy but some greens had big puddles on ,sunday round was dry but greens had big puddles on them, greenstaff not attempted to clear them very disappointing.
Michael
✓16 Aug 2019
Unfortunately it rained the whole time we were playing so it obviously made it more difficult.
Richard
✓1 Aug 2019
greens and tees are very good; fairways show signs of traffic; tricky bunkering positions; very friendly pro shop although no clubs to consider; buggy at £30 is on the high side.
Jane
✓9 Jul 2019
Very narrow fairways. They are in transition with the cut of their rough. Challenging.
Geoffrey
✓29 Jun 2019
Some fairway conditions were poor probably due to weather conditions last year, need time and attention to improve. Course more difficult for ladies (carries and playing out of rough just off the fairways). However an excellent layout.
Nigel
✓5 Jun 2019
I put Hard on course difficulty but that was off the white tees. We played 3 rounds but enjoyed the challenge every time.
David
✓15 May 2019
Course is a fair old challenge (if windy would become really hard I think)we were a group of to high handicappers average score 28 points as you need to be straight!!
John
✓1 Apr 2019
I really enjoyed this course. A great test for a mid-high handicapper with lots of well-placed bunkers and with good, fast greens. Very pleasing to the eye from the tee box, with the fairways framed by the yellow gorse. After 4 months of walking my own (very wet) course in Kent it was a pleasure to walk along dry, springy fairways.
Check-in from 2pm | Check-out from 10am
7-10am
Smart Casual
Ogilvie’s
No
Yes
No caddies available
No tee times before 9:30am 7 days a weeks
There is 1 bar on site
There is complimentary parking
